New Release Radar - August 9th Releases

Check out our records of the week from Friday, August 9th's new releases!

HammerFall - Avenge The Fallen
Genre - Heavy/Power Metal
FFO - Helloween, Kamelot, Manowar, Blind Guardian
Rating - 8/10

Guitars, riffs, solos, guitars and more guitars. We challenge you to find a more guitar-focused band than HammerFall. Exuding heavy metal attitude from its very core, this band are masters at their craft and never fail to deliver on high energy, rousing atmosphere and addictive power melodies. Avenge The Fallen is a fantastic addition to a solid discography.

Check out our full review and detailed breakdown of the entire record HERE.

2. Mushroomhead - Call The Devil
Genre - Nu-Metal/Groove Metal/Avant Garde Metal
FFO - Coal Chamber, Static-X, Mudvayne, American Head Charge
Rating - 6/10

With various line-up changes throughout the years, controversy over The Great Mask Debate with Slipknot and just general weirdness, Mushroomhead have carved a name for themselves in the metal world for being their own entity and doing whatever the hell they feel like. Call The Devil is a prime example of 'we don't care' which just so happens to be the name of one of the tracks. Incorporating female vocals for the first time to balance the harsh growls and fry screams that are normally present in their music, Mushroomhead have produced a very experimental record. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't and there's a goose thrown in to the mix. We kid you not.

Check out our full review and detailed breakdown of the entire record HERE

3. Dark Funeral - Dark Funeral (30th Anniversary Edition)
Genre - Black Metal
FFO - 1349, Belphegor, Immortal, Enthroned, Marduk
Rating - 8/10

Black metal legends Dark Funeral have re-released a fresh new take on their self-titled EP in order to celebrate their 30th anniversary with their current line-up. This EP is a fantastic example of how strong the second wave of Black Metal was in the 90s to the point where it has stood the test of time and still commands an ungodly presence even 30 years on. Whether you are a long-time fan of Dark Funeral or a newbie looking to explore the dark and blasphemous world of Black Metal, look no further.

4. Oxygen Destroyer - Guardian Of The Universe
Genre - Black/Death/Thrash Metal
FFO - Vader, Hellwitch, Morbid Saint, Angelcorpse
Rating - 7/10

Oxygen Destroyer are named after the weapon of mass destruction used to kill the infamous monster Godzilla in the original 1954 movie of the same name. This album in particular pays homage to the Heisei Gamera trilogy, the first of which, 'Guardian Of The Universe' the record adopts its name. As depicted in the band's name and album artwork, you can expect huge riffs, devastating roars and thunderous blast-beats of a monstrous nature. Crushing and chaotic, Guardian Of The Universe serves as perfect depiction of the vast destruction and havoc the monsters in the Heisei Gamera trilogy wreak; pure annihilation of the highest quality. Plus that album artwork is pretty cool.